Hoo boy. Talk about your circular firing squads.

The already-measly ranks of Vermont conservatism are in danger of being decimated from within, as various worthies battle for pieces of a very tiny pie.  

I’ve reported on this in more detail at The Vermont Political Observer, but I’ll summarize for those who just want a nice warm dose of schadenfreude on this uncharacteristically chilly August night.

The first shot was fired by VTGOP Chair “Super Dave” Sunderland who, faced with something of a revolt in his ranks, sent out a letter warning fellow Republicans not to associate with the Libertarian Party. The Libs’ candidate for Governor, Dan Feliciano, is openly courting write-in votes in the Republican primary. Sunderland’s note included the following:

Let’s be clear about this:  Vermont Libertarians would release all the heroin traffickers and professional dealers who have peddled their poison on our streets.  And all those felons who were arrested, charged and brought to justice by dedicated members of law enforcement for importing and profiting from the hardest and most addictive drugs would be set free and have their criminal records expunged if the Vermont Libertarians had their way.  Then what?  You know the answer:  They’d be back at it.

That’s a rank exaggeration of the Libs’ stand on drugs. They favor decriminalization and the release of all prisoners convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. Most of the high-level bad guys are in stir for violent crimes as well as drug charges, and the Libs have no intention of releasing them.

It makes me wonder what Sunderland is so worried about. Usually, the Libs wouldn’t be worth his time. Can it be that he actually fears a Feliciano victory over Milne? If so, it speaks volumes to the state of our Grand Old Party.  

Sunderland’s rant triggered a very unfortunate reaction on Twitter by Darcie “Hack” Johnston, failed Republican operative turned Feliciano supporter.  

She brought up Republican Scott Milne’s youthful violations — which happened more than thirty years ago — and painted Milne as “more likely to be in favor of illicit hardcore drugs” than Feliciano.

An extremely low blow, that, even by the Hack’s standards. And Feliciano, rather than disavowing those gutter tactics, basically echoed Johnston’s words.

And the cherry on this shit sundae? The Freeploid’s Terri Hallenbeck reports an emerging split in Libertarian ranks over Feliciano’s solicitation of Republican support, and his failure to support key parts of the Lib platform. (Including their stand on drugs.)

To sum up, we have Republicans battling each other in very harsh terms, we have the party’s choice for Governor in a very serious fight with an unknown Libertarian for the Republican nomination, and we have the tiny Libertarian Party itself splitting over Feliciano’s candidacy.

Should be an entertaining last couple of weeks before the primary. Get your popcorn ready.